A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ghent vs. Girona for Nightlife, Old Town, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Ghent or Girona?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent and Girona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ghent

Ghent is a under-rated, youthful, and high energy city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Girona

Girona is a ancient, charming, and beautiful city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Ghent and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Girona?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ghent than Girona. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Ghent is very popular for its nightlife and impressive beauty, while Girona attracts visitors for its historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Ghent is famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets It is also well known for The Fortress of Gravensteen. Girona is famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Ghent different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Girona and Ghent. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ghent or Girona?

Both Ghent and Girona have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ghent. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

Girona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

Is the Food Better in Ghent or Girona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Ghent and Girona both to be excellent destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ghent makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Girona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

Is Ghent or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Ghent is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Ghent or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The historic old town of Girona is revered around the world. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Girona?

Both Ghent and Girona are excellent shopping destinations.

Ghent is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Girona is well-known for its shopping. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

Is Ghent or Girona Better for Families?

Ghent is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Ghent is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Ghent or Girona Better for Couples?

Ghent and Girona both excellent destinations for a couple.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit for couples. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Girona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

Is Ghent or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Girona are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

Is Ghent or Girona Better for Students?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Plenty of students visit Girona. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

Is Ghent or Girona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ghent is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Ghent can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Girona has some public transit options. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

Is Ghent or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Girona on foot. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

Ghent is a very walkable city. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Girona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Girona or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ghent or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ghent than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

Families should spend more time in Ghent than Girona. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ghent, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ghent than Girona if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ghent.

One day in Ghent or Girona?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Girona, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this medieval destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Ghent or Girona?

Ghent is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Girona. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Girona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the quaint destination of Girona. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the youthful destination of Ghent. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Girona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Girona, we can see that Girona is more expensive. And not only is Ghent much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ghent would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ghent and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Girona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Girona than you might in Ghent.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ghent Expensive? and Is Girona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Girona?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Girona, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Ghent or Girona?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ghent or Girona in the Summer?

Both Girona and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In the summer, Ghent is cooler than Girona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Girona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Girona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Girona during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives more rain than Girona. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Ghent during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ghent is generally cooler than Girona. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Girona. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Girona. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Girona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Girona. Many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Girona in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. Ghent is much colder than Girona in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Girona during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ghent usually receives around the same amount of rain as Girona. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Girona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Girona. Many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Girona for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Ghent is cooler than Girona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Girona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Girona. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Girona. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and Ghent